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THE STATE HOUSE 



BOSTON, BIASSACHUSETTS. 




DAVID PULSIFER. 



The New State House : may its corner-stone be the * rights of man ' — its 
roof, wisdom; and its walls, patriotism." — July 4, 1795. 




BOSTON : 
RAND, AVERY, AND COMPANY, 

Printers to the Commonwealth. 

1881. 



(Th 



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ARMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF 
MASSACHUSETTS. 




In Council, Wednesday Dee. 13th, 1780. 
Ordered, That Nathan Cushhig, Esq., be a Committee to pre- 
pare a Seal for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who 
reported a Device for a Seal for said Commonwealth, as follows, 
viz. : — 

Sapphire, an Indian dressed in his Shirt, Moggosins, belted 
proper, in his right Hand a Bow, Topaz, in his left an Arrow, 
its point towards the Base; of the second, on the Dexter side 
of the Indian's head, a Star, Pearl, for one of the United States 
of America. Crest, — On a wreath a Dexter Arm clothed and 
rnffled proper, grasping a Broad Sword, the Pummel & Hilt, 
Topjaz, with this Motto — ense petit pi.acidam sun libertate 
QuiETEM — and around the Seal — sigillum reipuislic^ Massa- 
ciiusettensis. 

Advised that the said Report be accepted as the Arms of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. —[Council Records, Dec. 13th, 
1780. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by 

DAVID PULSIFER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 



OFFICES IN THE STATE HOUSE. 



WEST WING. — FmsT Floor. 
Front. 
Adjutant-General. 

[Where the military records are carefully kept.] 
Board of State Charities. 

Rear. 
Secretary of State. 

[Here the Records and Archives of the Colony, Province and 
Commonwealth are faithfully preserved and kept; the 
Records of the Massachusetts Company, commencing in 
the year 1628. In this department is the original Charter 
granted hy Charles the First, a. d. 1G28; also, second 
Charter, hy William and Mary, and Explanatory Charter 
by George I. 

There is also a Manifesto and Proclamation, on parchment, 
of the Commissioners of Great Britain appointed by 
George III. for effecting " a reunion and coalition with 
her colonies," " with the exemption from any imposition 
of taxes by the Parliament." Dated October 3, 1778.] 

Second Floor. 
State Library; Secretary of Board of Education. 

Third Floor. 
Executive Department. 
Speaker of the House op Representatives. 

Basement. — lEntrance on Mount Vernon Street.] 
Document Room of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. 
Secretary of the Board of Agriculture. 
Visiting Agent of the Board of State Charities. 

3 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



EAST WING. — FmsT Floor. 

Front. 
Sergeant-at-Abms. O. F. Mitchell. 

[This officer, when the General Court is in session, performs 
the duties of Sergeant-at-Arms to botli branches, has the 
general charge and oversight of the State House, and 
under his direction every facility is afforded for visiting 
the cupola, halls and offices.] 
Auditor. 

Rear. 

Treasurer. 

Deputy Tax Commissioner. 

Commissioner of Corporations. 

Second Floor. 
Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
Legislative Document Room. 

Third Floor. 
Representatives' Hall and Senate Chamber. 
President and Clerk of the Senate. [Rear of the Senate 
Chamber.'] 

Basement. — [Eu^wTice on i)/oim« Vernon Street.] 

Commissioners of Prisons. 

Surgeon-General. 

State Bo.ajbd of Health, Lunacy and Charity. 

Commissioners of Savings Banks. 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE HOUSE. 



The land on which the State House stands, formerly be- 
longed to Governor Hancock. Its foundation is about 100 
feet above the level of the harbor. 

It has been said that "the beauty and advantages of this 
situation, which induced the Legislature to make choice of 
it for the present building, are acknowledged by both 
natives and foreigners. It vies with the most picturesque 
scenes in Europe, and will bear comparison with the castle 
hill of Edinburgh, the famous bay of Naples, or any other 
most commanding prospect." 

Previous to its enlargement a few years since, it was de- 
scribed as an oblong building, 173 feet front and 61 deep ; 
it consists externally of a basement story, 20 feet high, and 
a principal story, 30 feet. This, in the centre of the front, 
is covered with an attic 60 feet wide, 20 feet high, which is 
covered with a pediment. Immediately above this rises a 
dome, 50 feet diameter and 30 feet high ; the whole termi- 
nates with an elegant circular lanthorn. The basement 
stor}^ is finished plain on the wings, wath square windows. 
The centre is 91: feet in length, and formed of arches which 
project 14 feet; they form a covered walk below, and sup- 
port a colonnade of Corinthian columns of the same extent 
above. The outside walls are of large patent bricks. The 
lower story is divided into a large hall or public walk in 
the centre, 55 feet square, and 20 feet high, supported by 
Doric columns; two entries, each 16 feet wide, with two 
flights of stairs in each ; and at the ends offices for the 
Treasurer, Secretary, Adjutant and Quartermaster General. 

The whole cost of the building amounted to $133,333.33. 
The enlargement cost $243,203.86. 

The following account of laying the corner stone is taken 
from the " Columbian Centinel," of Wednesday, July 8, 
1795: — 



6 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 

MASONIC CELEBRATION. 

The Governor — being complimented by the Agents of the 
Commonwealth for building the intended State House, with lay- 
ing the corner stone thereof, His Excellency requested the assist- 
ance of the Grand Lodge therein. Accordingly on Saturday last, 
the Lodges asseml)led at the Representatives' Chamber, and pro- 
ceeded in masonic order to the Old South Aleeiimj-House, to attend 
the Oration. After which the whole proceeded in the following 
order: — 

Independent Fusiliers, 

Martial musick 

Two Toilers 

The CORNER STONE, 

[On a truck, decorated with ribbons, drawn by 

15 white horses, each with a leader.] 

Operative Masons. 

Grand Marshal. 

Stewards, with staves. 

Entered-Apprentices, and Fellow crafts. 

Three Master-Masons, bearing the Square, Level 

and Plumb-Rule. 

Three Stewards, bearing Corn, Wine and Oil. 

Master Masons. 

Officers of Lodges in their respective jewels. 

Past-Masters, Royal Arch, &c. 

Grand Toiler, 

Band of Musick — decorated. 

Grand Stewards, 

Grand Deacons witli Wands, 

Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, 

Past Grand Wardens, 

Grand Senior and Junior Wardens, 

Past Grand Masters 

Rev. Clergy — Brothers — 

Grand Master attended by the Deputy-Grand 

Master, and Grand Stewards. 

Deputy Grand Marshal. 

Sheriff of Suffolk. 

The Agents of the Commonwealth. 

His Excellency The Governor, 

Honor Lt. Governor, 

Adjutant-General, Quarter-Master-General. 

Hon. Council, 

Members of Legislature — 

Clergy, and Strangers of distinction. 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 7 

In this order, they moved to the spot intended for the edifice; 
and the procession being opened, the Agents, His Excellency tlie 
Governor, tlie Grand Lodge, Lt. Governor, &c., passed througli: 
and, the operative masons liaving prepared the Stone, His Excel- 
lency laid it, with the assistance of the Grand and Dejouty Grand 
Master, after having deposited thereunder a silver plate, bearing 
the following 

INSCRIPTION - 

This Corner Stone of a Building 

intended for the use of the Ler/islative, 

and Executive branches of GOVERNMENT 

of the 

Commonwealth of MASSACHUSETTS, 

was laid by 

His Excellency SAMUEL ADAMS, Esq., 

Governor of said Commonwealth; 

Assisted by the Most Worshii)ful Paul Revere, 

Grand Master, 

And the Right Worshipful William Scollay, 

Deputy Grand Master, 

The Grand Wardens and Brethren 

of the 

GRAND LODGE of Massachusetts, 

On the Fourth Day of July 

AN. DOM. 1795. 

A. L. 5705 

Being the X.'^th Anniversary of AMERICAN 

INDEPENDENCE. 

After which the Governor made the following Address: 

"Fellow citizens, 

" The Representatives of the people in General Court assem- 
bled, did solemnly Resolve, that an Edifice be erected npon this 
spot of ground for the purpose of holding the Public Councils of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By the request of their 
Agents and Commissioners, I do now lay the Corner Stone. 

" May the Superstructure be raised even to the top Stone 
without any untoward accident, and remain permanent as the 
everlasting mountains. May the principles of our excellent Con- 
stitution, founded in nature and in the Rights of Man, be ably 
defended here: And may the same principles be deeply engraven 
on the hearts of all citizens, and there be fixed unimpaired and 
in full vigor till time shall be no more." 

The whole then returned to the Council-Chamber, where the 
procession broke up. 

It is utterly impossible to do justice to the scene which pre- 
sented itself, on this brilliant occasion. 



8 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 

In 1855, on placing new underpinning under the State 
House, to correspond with that of the additioi. or enlarge- 
ment built that year the workmen unexpectedly found the 
corner stone in the south-east corner in a damaged condition 
The silver plate and coins deposited in 1795, being covered 
only with a piece of sheet lead, were very much corroded 
with rust; but after being restored to their original condi- 
tion, there was then engraved on the reverse side of the 
silver plate the following inscription : — 

The Corner Stone of the Capitol 

having been removed in consequence of 

alterations and additions to the Building, 

The original deposit, together with this 

inscription, is replaced by 

the Most Worshipful Winslow Lewis, M. D., 

Grand Master, 

and other Officers and Brethren of the 

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 

in presence of 

His Excellency Henry J. Gardner, 

Governor of the Commonwealth, 

on the 11 day of August, A. D. 1855. 

A. L. 5855. 

JOSEPH R. RICHARDS, ^ 

SAMUEL K. HUTCHINSON, > Commissioners. 

GEORGE M. THATCHER, ) 

The plate, with additional coins of 1855, etc., was then 
deposited, and a new stone was thus laid in the same cor- 
ner; the condition of that part of the building, resting on 
shores, not allowing sufficient time for any extended notice 
or more public ceremonies. 

On Wednesday, January 10, 1798, the General Court met! 
in the Old State House, where for about fifty years their 
sessions had been held, when information was given that 
the New State House was so far completed that it was in a 
proper situation to accommodate the Governor and Council, 
the Senate and House of Representatives. 

The next day, January 11, a joint committee waited on 
His Excellency Increase Sumner, Governor, and the Hon- 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. if 

orable Council, and requested "them to join the General 
Court in procession from the Old State House to said new 
House at 12 o'clock." 

The following account and extract from the Speech of 
Governor Sumner are copied from the " Independent Chron- 
icle " of that date : — 

Massachv setts' Ijegislature. 

January 11. 

THE two branches of the Legislature having received the re- 
port of their committee, agreed to move in procession to the 
New State House, at 12 o'clock. 

A Committee was appointed to wait upon His Excellency the 
Governor and the Honorable Council, to invite them to the con- 
templated Procession. At 12 o'clock His Excellency and the 
Hon. Council, attended the Hon. Legislature, previously con- 
vened in the Senate Chamber, and the Procession was formed, 
consisting of His Excellency the Governor — His Honor the Lieu- 
tenant Governor- the Honorable Council- President and Mem- 
bers of the Honorable Senate -Speaker and Members of the 
Honoralile House of Representatives — Secretary of the Com- 
monwealth- State Treasurer — and the respective Secretary's 
Clerks and Messengers of the different Departments, and pro- 
ceeded to the future scene of the Public Labors. 

When arrived at the New State House they entered the Repre- 
sentatives' Hall, and after a few moments pause — the Presence, 
Aid and Blessing of the Supreme Law-Giver was invoked by 
the Rev. Dr. Thacher, in a Prayer peculiarly elegant and perti- 
nent. His Excellency the Governor, His Honor the Lieutenant 
Governor, and the other Officers of the Government, then with- 
drew to their appropriate Chambers; and the Hon. House pro- 
ceeded to business. ^i ^. , 

His Excellency, by Message acquainted the House, tliat he 
would meet them to-morrow at 12 o'clock, for the purpose of 
addressing them. 

FRIDAY JAN. 12. 

A-reeable to assignment the two Brancnes having assembled 
in the Representatives' Chamber, his Excellency the Governor 
came in and delivered the following 
SPEECH: 

Gentlemen of the Senate, and 

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives 
WHILE I rejoice with you, and my fellow-citizens at large, on the 
completion of this stately Edifice, not less honorable to the Com- 



10 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 

mou wealth, at whose expense it was erected, than ornamental 
to the capital which generously provided the place; permit me 
to express ray entire satisfaction at the ingenious manner in 
which the plan has been executed. Begun and finished in little 
more than two years, it exhibits a pleasing proof of the architec- 
tural skill and fidelity of your agents, who planned and super- 
intended the work, while it demonstrates the ability of the 
artificers who performed it. 

Combining the advantages of suitable retirement, a healthy 
situation, and delightful prospect, with such elegant and very 
convenient apartments, for the security of the Records, and for 
transacting the public business, there is perhaps no public build- 
ing to be found within the United States, more useful and mag- 
nificent. I am confident that you, Gentlemen of both Houses of 
the Legislature, will cordially join me in the fervent wish that 
this State House may long remain a monument of the public 
spirit of the citizens of ISIassachusetts, as well as a testimony of 
their respect to our happy political institutions. We will then, 
under the smiles of Heaven, unite in dedicating it to the Honor, 
Freedom, Independence and Secvrity of our Country. In this 
House, may the true principles of the best system of civil gov- 
ernment the world has ever seen, be uniformly supported. 
Here, may every practice and principle be successfully opposed, 
that tend to impair it. Here, may every act of the Legislature, 
be the result of cool deliberation and sound judgment. And in 
this House, on all necessary occasions, may the Supreme Execu- 
tive, agreeably to the laws of the land, in mercy, cause judg- 
ment to be executed. And each branch of our elective govern- 
ment, continuing faithful in the discharge of its trust, God grant, 
that neither external force or influence, nor internal commotion 
or violence may ever shake the pillars of our free Republic. 



Doric Hall. 

The visitor to the State House, on entering the Doric 
Hall, will meet with several objects of historic interest: — 
the statue of Washington, by Sir F. Chantrey, in the 
rotunda; fac-similes of the Memorial Tablets of the Ances- 
tors of Washington, in front of the statue; two brass can- 
non formerly belonging to an artillery company in Concord, 
and two brass cannon captured in the War of 1812; statue 
of Governor Andrew; busts of President Lincoln, Plenry 
Wilson and Charles Sumner. 

Plere may be seen the flags of most of the regiments of 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 11 

the Massachusetts Volunteers, who served during the war 
of the rebellion, 18G1-18G5. Deposited here Dec. 21, 1865. 
On the eastern wall are four tablets " taken from the 
base of a Doric column, erected in 1791, by the citizens of 
Boston on the top of ]>eacon Hill. The column took the 
place of an old wooden beacon, blown down November 26th, 
1789, which gave its name to the hill and street on which 
the State House now stands, and stood many feet above the 
roofs of the houses on the westerly corner of Temple and 
Mount Vernon Streets, and commanded a view of the har- 
bor and of the environs of the city. It was surmounted by 
the Gilded Eagle which is now placed over the Speaker's 
chair in the House of Representatives," and was taken down 
in 1811 by ISIr. Atherton Ilaugh Stevens, late of East 
Cambridge, deceased, who made a record, of which the 
following is a true copy : — 

" Boston, July 11, 1811. 

At 3 o'clock this afternoon, I lowered the Eagle from Beacon 
Hill Monument. 

At the same time on the next day I undermined and dropped 
from the Hill the monument, and no harm was done to any 
person. 

In the month of June previous I had a dream. I dreamed 
that I was doing the very same work above stated, not knowing 
it was to be done. 

A. H. STEVENS." 

These tablets contain the following inscriptions : — 

TO • COMMEMORATE 

THAT • TRAIN • OF ■ EVENTS 

WHICH • LED . 

TO • THE • AMERICAN • REVOLUTION 

AND • FINALLY • SECURED 

LIBERTY • AND • INDEPENDENCE 

TO • THE • UNITED • STATES 

THIS • COLUMN • IS • ERECTED 

BY • THE • VOLUNTARY • CONTRIBUTION 

OF • THE • CITIZENS 

OF • BOSTON 

M D C C X C. 



12 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 

Stamp Act passed 17G5, repealed 1766. 

Board of Customs established 1767. 

British troops fired on the inhabitants of Boston 

March 5. 1770. 

Tea act passed 1773. 

Tea destroyed in Boston Decem: 16. 

Port of Boston shut and guarded June 1. 1774. 

General Congress at riiiladidphia Sept: 4. 

Provincial Congress at Concord Oct: 11. 

Battle of Lexington April 19. 1775. 

Battle of Bunker Hill June 17. 

Washington took command of the army July 2. 

Boston evacuated March 17. 1776. 

Independence declared by Congress July 4. 1776. 

Hancock President. 



Capture of Hessians at Trenton Dec: 26. 1776. 

Capture of Hessians at Bennington Aug: 16. 1777. 

Capture of British army at Saratoga Oct: 17. 

Alliance with France Feb: 6. 1778. 

Confederation of United States formed July 9. 

Constitution of Massachusetts formed 1780. 

Bowdoin President of Convention. 

Capture of British army at York Oct: 19. 1781. 

Preliminaries of Peace Nov: 30. 1782. 

Definitive Treaty of Peace Sept: 10, 1783. 

Federal Constitution formed Sept: 17. 1787. 

and ratified by the United States 1787, to. 1790. 

New Congress assembled at New York April 6. 1789. 

Washington inaugurated President April 30. 

Public debts funded Aug: 4. 1790. 



• AMERICANS • 

WHILE • FROM • THIS ' EMINENCE 

SCENES • OF • LUXURIANT • FERTILITY 

OF • FLOURISHING • COMMERCE 

& • THE • ABODES • OF • SOCIAL • HAPPINESS 

MEET • YOUR • VIEW 

FORGET • NOT • THOSE 

WHO • BY • THEIR • EXERTIONS 

HAVE • SECURED • TO • YOU 

THESE • BLESSINGS. 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 13 

There may also be seen in this Hall a marble bust, on 
which is engraven the name of Samuel Adams. Of 
this noble patriot, who, with John Hancock, was by the 
British Government excepted from pardon in 1775, it can- 
not be amiss to say — 

" O, reader, 
Pass not on till thou hast blessed his memory: 
And never, never forget 
THAT REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBE- 
DIENCE TO GOD." 

Samuel Adams and John Hancock were honored in one 
of the earliest songs of the Revolution, written by a Brit- 
ish officer or soldier, in these words : — 

" As for their King, John Hancock, 
And Adams, if they're taken, 
Their heads for signs shall hang up high 
Upon that hill called Beacon." 

Bronze statues of Daniel Webster and Horace Mann 
have been placed on the public grounds in front of the 
State House. The latter was dedicated July 4, 1805, with 
appropriate services and interesting addresses by Governor 
Andrew and others ; that of Mr. Webster was inaugurated 
several years since, the late Hon. Edward Everett honoring 
his memory in an interesting and eloquenc eulogy, in pres- 
ence of a very large and attentive audience. 

The rooms above are the Representatives' Hall in the 
centre, 55 feet square. Above the Speaker's chair are the 
Arms of INIassachusetts, and Gilded Eagle, mentioned on 
page 11. In front of the Speaker's chair, suspended from 
the ceiling, on the opposite side of the Hall, is the Cod-fish 
which was first placed in the Old State House, in the year 
1781, as appears by the following extract from the Journal 
of the House of Representatives : — 

Wednesday, March 17, 1784, 
" Mr. Rowe moved the House tliat leave might he given to 
hang up the representation of a Cod Fish in the room where 
the House sit, as a memorial of the importance of the Cod Fish- 
ery to the welfare of this Commonwealth as had been usual 
formerly. The said motion being seconded, the question was 
put, and leave given for the purpose aforesaid." 



14 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 

In the east wing is the Senate Chamber, 55 feet long, 33 
wide and 30 high, finished in the Ionic order. It is also 
ornamented with Ionic pilasters, and with the arms of the 
State, and of the United States, placed on opposite panels 
Here are preserved the portraits of several of the early 
governors of Massachusetts; namely, John Endicott, John 
Winthrop, John Leverett, Simon Bradstreet, William Bur- 
net, Increase Sumner, and William Eustis, and of the 
Honorable Robert llantoul. 

On the wall in front of the President's desk are trophies 
from Bennington battle-field, and beneath them, in a gilt 
frame, the following : — 

COMMOXWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston, December 5, 1777. 
SiR^_The General Assembly of this State take the earliest 
opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your acceptable pres- 
ent—the tokens of victory gained at the memorable battle of 
Bennington. The events of that day strongly mark the bravery 
of the men, who, unskilled in war, forced from their intrench- 
raents a chosen number of veteran troops of boasted Britons ; as 
well as the address and valor of the General who directed their 
movements and led them on to conquest. This signal exploit 
opened the way to a rapid succession of advantages most impor- 
tant to America. These trophies shall be safely deposited in the 
archives of the State, and there remind posterity of the irresist- 
ible powder of the GOD of Armies, —and the honors due to the 
memory of the brave. Still attended w^ith like successes may 
you long enjoy the rewards of your grateful country. 

JEREMIAH POWELL, President of the Council. 
Brigadier-General John Stakk. 

The following is a copy of General Stark's letter to the 
Council : — 

Bennington, Septemr. 15th, 1777. 

General .St ARKS 

Begs leave to present to the State of the Massachusetts Bay, 
And pray their acceptance of the same, one Hessian Gun, & 
Bayonet, one Broad Sword, one Brass Barrell'd Drum, and one 
Granadiers Cap, Taken from the Enemy, in the INfemorable 
Battle Fought at Maloonscott on the IGth of Aug't Last — 

And requests, that, the Same may be kept in Commemoration i 
of that Glorious Victory obtained over the Enemy on that day, 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 15 

by the united Troops of that State, Those of New Hampshire, 
and Vermount, which Victory ouglit to be kept in memory & 
handed down to futurity as a lasting and Laudable Example for 
the sons and Daughters of the Victors, in order, never to suffer 
themselves to become the prey of those INIercenary Tyrants, and 
British Sycophants, who are daily endeavoring to Euin and 
Destroy vis — I am Gent : your friend & liumble Serv't 

JOHN STARK. 
To the Hon'ble Council *» 

of the State of the Massachusetts Bay — 

Xear to these trophies are two fire-arms, the gift of the 
late Rev. Theodore Parker to the Commonwealth. One 
near the portrait of Governor Sumner, inscribed, — ^ 

" The First Fire Arm 

Captured in the 

War for Independence." 



On the lock 



" Gkice 
17G2." 



The other is placed above the portrait of Governor Brad- 
street, bearing the following inscriptions : — 

" This Firearm was used by 

Capt. John Parker 

In the Battle of Lexington 

April 19th 

1775." 

On the lock — 

" Theodore Parker 1850." 

In the west wing is the Council Chamber, 27 feet sqnare 
and 20 high, with a flat ceiling ; the walls are finished with 
Corinthian pilasters, and panels of stucco. 

The Library contains about 45,000 volumes ; a copy of 
Audubon's Birds of America ; the laws of all the States in 
the Union ; several Historical Medals from the French Gov- 
ernment; a portrait of Thomas Gage, the last of the Royal 
Governors; and busts of George S. Boutwell, Rev. Arthur 
B. Fuller and Henry Todd. 



16 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 




JOHN A. ANDREW, 

"War Governor of Massachusetts. 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



17 



VIEWS FROM THE CUPOLA OF THE 
STATE HOUSE. 



East Window. 

From this window are seen the Harbor, Islands, Wharves, 
and Shipping. 

In front, on Somerset Street, is seen the meeting-house 
formerly occupied by the First Baptist Church, organized in 
the year 1665 ; the second centennial anniversary was cele- 
brated June 7, 1865. 

A little to the right, may be seen Faneuil Hall, termed 
"The Cradle of American Liberty." 




FANEUIL HALL. 



Near to Faneuil Hall, is Faneuil Hall Market, the corner 
stone of which was laid April 27, a.d. 1825 ; it is nearly 600 
feet in length, and 50 feet wide, and is situated between 
North and South Market Streets. 



18 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



To the right of the ^Market, is seen the United States 
Custom House. It is in the form of a Greek cross, the 




FANEUIL HALL MARKET. 



opposite sides and ends being alike. It is 140 feet long, 
north and south, 75 feet wide at the ends, and 95 feet 




CUSTOM HOUSE. 



through the centre, and is surmounted by a dome, which is 
95 feet from the floor. 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



1!) 



Nearly opposite the Custom House, is seen Tine Island. 
To the right of Pine Island is Governor's Island, and further 
n the same direction, is seen Fort Independence. 

From this window is also seen the Old South Church, 
)n the corner of AV^ashington and JNIilk Streets, erected in 




OLD SOUTH CHURCH. 

18 year 1730; in the Revolution profanely converted into a 
ding-school for Burgoyne's cavalry. 

j The Granary Burying-Ground, and the Horticultural Ilall, 
scently erected on Tremont Street, are also in sight, and 
cross the water is seen East Boston. 
Christ Church, in Salem Street, built in the year 1722, is 
jen from this window. N'ear to the State House, on Beacon 
treat, is seen the Boston Athenseum. 



20 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



North Window. 
The Reservoir near to the State House, is seen from 
this window. The basin holds 2,678,961 wine gallons of 
water. 




-ytTjfrfr 



ATHEN^UM. 



To the right of the Reservoir, may be seen the Fitchburg 
Depot, on Causeway Street, near to which are the Depots of 
the Eastern and Lowell Railroads. 




FITCHBURG DEPOT. 



The tall chimney and round building to the right of th« 
Fitchburg Depot, are the Gas Works. To the left, th< 
building with trees in front is the Massachusetts Genera 
Hospital. The large brick building in front of the Hospital 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



21 



s the Medical College. Tlie granite building to the left is 
he Suffolk County Jail. 

From this window, are seen the Navy Yard and Bunker 
[lill Monument in Charlestown. 

West Window. 

From this window may be seen many buildings lately 
rected on land formerly overflowed by the tide-waters, and 
vuown as the Back Bay. The Public Garden, several meet- 
ng-houses, — at the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth 




HANCOCK HOUSE. Built, 1737; tukeu down, 1S63. 



streets, the Old South. On the other side of Charles River 
s Brighton, to the left of which is Brookline. 

The house of Governor Hancock could, until recently, be 
teen from this window; in 1863 it was taken down, and a 
naguificent structure of dwelling-houses has taken its place. 



22 THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. j 

The following letter of Governor Hancock, transmitting 
a copy of the Ij'eclaration of Independence, is copied from 
the original in the Secretary's Department: — 

[Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 195, page T3.] 

Philada., July Gth, 1776. 
HoNr.LE Gentlemen, 

Altbo it is not possible to foresee the consequences of Human 
Vctions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Pos- 
terity in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner 
we are able, and to trust the Events to that Being, who Controuls 
both Causes and Events, so as to bring about his own Determma- 



tions 



Impressed with this sentiment, and at the same Time fully 
convinced, tl:at our Affairs may take a more favoral)le Turn, the 
Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve all Connection be- 
tween Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare 
tliem free and independent States; as you will perceive by the . 
enclosed Declaration which I am directed by Congress to trans- 
mit to you, and to request you will have it proclaimed in your 
Colony in tbe Way you shall tbink most proper. 

The important Consequences to the American States from this 
Declaration of Independence, considered as the Ground and 
Eoundation of a future Government, will naturally suggest the 
Propriety of proclaiming it in such Manner, that the People may 
Ibe universally informed of it. 

I have the Honour to be 

wdth great Respect 

Gentlemen 

your most obed't 

& very hble serv't 



^^^JS^\ 




Ilonble Assembly of Massachusetts Bay. 

South Window. 

From this window is seen Park Street IMeeting-Housei 

corner of Tremont and Park Streets; to the right of th^ 



THE STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 



23 



church, on Tremont Street, is the United States Court House, 
formerly known as the INIasonic Temple. 




PAKK bTRELT MLETI?,G HOLbE. 



A little beyond Park Street Meeting-House, is seen the 
Music Hall. The Perkins Institution and Massachusetts 







UNITED STATES COUKT HOUSE. 



Asylum for the Blind, on Mt. AVashington, may be seen to 
the right of the steeple of Park Street Meeting-House. 



:^^/ 



^^ 



Id / i-- 



H 



24 



ruE STATE hot:se in boston. 



In front of the State House is Boston Common. It 
-maybe styled the great breathing apparatus of Boston. 
In summer or in winter those forty-eight acres of undulatmg 
ground, green xvith grass or >Yhite with snow, constitute a 




PERKINS INSTITUTION. 



favorite place of resort. And when the noble trees that 
abound there are thick with foliage, no more delightful 
promenade than those broad avenues beneath their inter- 
lacing boughs, could well be imagined." 



■'»^,^ 




BOSTON COMMON. 



